HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Please read this HIPAA notice carefully. It explains how your medical information may be used and disclosed, and how you can access that information.

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Northwest Hearing + Tinnitus is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your health information.

This Notice of Privacy Practices describes:

  • How we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI)
  • Your rights regarding your health information
  • Our legal responsibilities related to protecting your privacy

Protected Health Information (PHI) includes information about your health, healthcare services, and payment for healthcare that can be used to identify you.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and disclose your PHI for the following purposes:

Treatment

We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare.

Examples include:

  • Referring you to another healthcare provider
  • Coordinating care with specialists
  • Sharing information necessary for diagnosis and treatment

Payment

We may use and disclose your information to obtain payment for healthcare services.

Examples include:

  • Billing insurance companies
  • Verifying insurance coverage
  • Obtaining prior authorizations for services

Healthcare Operations

We may use your information to support the day-to-day operations of our practice.

Examples include:

  • Quality improvement activities
  • Staff training and education
  • Licensing and accreditation activities
  • Employee performance reviews
  • Business management functions

We may also:

  • Use sign-in sheets at our offices
  • Call your name in the waiting room
  • Contact you regarding appointments and care reminders

Other Situations Where Disclosure May Be Permitted or Required

We may disclose your PHI without your authorization when permitted or required by law, including:

  • Public health reporting
  • Communicable disease reporting
  • Health oversight activities
  • Abuse or neglect investigations
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements
  • Legal proceedings
  • Law enforcement purposes
  • Coroners and funeral directors
  • Organ donation
  • Research activities
  • Criminal investigations
  • Military and national security activities
  • Workers’ compensation claims
  • Inmate healthcare situations
  • Other disclosures required by federal or state law

We are also required to disclose information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services when necessary to determine compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Uses Requiring Your Authorization

Any use or disclosure not described in this notice will only be made with your written authorization unless otherwise required by law.

You may revoke your authorization at any time by submitting a written request, except where action has already been taken based on your authorization.

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your Protected Health Information:

Right to Inspect and Copy

You may request access to and obtain copies of your health information, subject to certain legal limitations.

Right to Request Restrictions

You may request limitations on how we use or disclose your information for:

  • Treatment
  • Payment
  • Healthcare operations

You may also request restrictions on disclosures to family members or others involved in your care.

Please note that we are not required to agree to every requested restriction.

Right to Confidential Communications

You may request that we contact you:

  • Through alternative communication methods
  • At alternative locations

Right to a Paper Copy

You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

Right to Request an Amendment

If you believe information in your medical record is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment.

If we deny your request, you may submit a statement of disagreement for inclusion in your record.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You may request a record of certain disclosures we have made of your Protected Health Information.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to modify this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.

If changes are made, the revised notice will apply to all health information we maintain and will be made available to you.

Filing a Complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:

  • Northwest Hearing + Tinnitus
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this notice or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact our HIPAA Compliance Officer.

Phone: (206) 752-5601

    Effective Date

    Effective Date: April 14, 2003